Needless to say, ever since Jorge got out of the hospital, he had already been tossed into rather interesting situations. He needed to reconnect with his fiancée, he had to start preparing to go back to work, and most importantly he needed to just live his life. After spending four years drifting about the water as nothing more than particles, and another year sitting in a hospital bed, Jorge needed some time to reconfigure himself. The majority of the world, who did know him, had figured that Jorge Cervantes had died long ago. Resurrection, it seems, was simply not that easy.

Standing outside Buddha Doughnuts, one of those specialized places that his new friend Devon had informed him about, Jorge quietly waited as he kept his back pressed up against the black door of his 1967 Chevy Impala. He was dressed as any New Yorker would be, in dark jeans, a loose heather gray shirt, and his patented brown leather bomber jacket. His hands stuffed into his pockets, the man quietly hummed to himself, smiling and nodding to passing people who noticed him. He was not one to shy away from the gaze of others, unless of course they were looking to start a fight. Thankfully, this morning, no one was.

It had been a few days since the incident at the beach where he and Devon had met. The two of them had agreed to go get doughnuts and just hang out. It had been awhile since Jorge had made a new friend and he was somewhat looking forward to making one with the younger weather manipulator. The mutant had turned out to be an amazing partner when it came to dealing with that young mutant who had lost control of his budding abilities. So much so that already Jorge was developing a bit of respect for the man, especially once he was handed his business card and saw the plethora of things that the man involved himself in.

It was good to see people like that in this city. It warmed his heart, honestly.

Therefore, on one lazy morning, Gemma stuck taking the kids in the mansion on a field trip and his day to return to work still not arrived, Jorge decided to take the initiative. After all, he was promised doughnuts, wasn’t he?

It didn’t take long for a meeting point to be set up. Jorge was given directions and a time that Devon would be joining him. Looking forward to touring the new pastry eateries in the city, Jorge was on time, standing outside the shop that already had a growing line of individuals, eager to pick up their trending snacks before starting their work days. Jorge smirked, watching them get into line and vaguely wondered if may he should get in line too and save Devon a space. Nah, Devon was supposed to be the one showing him around so he’d let the man take the lead. Besides, Jorge wasn’t in a hurry to get back to the mansion and rather liked the idea of being out for a bit.

Pushing off his car, Jorge stretched out his arms, popping his back a bit before he reached into his pocket for his phone. Idly he started to chat with Gemma, wondering how her field trip was going. Sadly the series of emoji skulls, fires, and daggers were enough to clue him in. ”Sorry, love,” he mumbled as he sent back a winking kissy face, a quick text that doughnuts would be waiting at home for her, and continued his wait for Devon.

Devon emerged from the doughnut shop enlightened. Hm, make that enwhitened. The tight black t-shirt he wore didn’t have a snowy scene on it. No, that was powdered sugar. His lips formed into a wide grin at the sight of Jorge, though his lips and cheeks were sticking out rather pronounced.

“Mmm mmmmmm hmmm mmm?” Devon struggled to say as he started chewing. He laughed and coughed slightly, sending a small cloud of powdered sugar out of his mouth.

One hand held a box, taped shut with a large Buddha proudly and widely sitting atop the cover. The other Devon wiped on his jeans and then held it out for Jorge. As he swallowed, he finally got out a, “I’m sorry, waiting long?”

He laughed and swallowed again. “The line was just getting so long and I figured if we’re hitting a few places up I’d just grab these,” he winked a blue eye. “The girl at the counter gave me a free doughnut. I said I didn’t know where to put it so she slipped it into my mouth,” he chuckled yet again.

“Hungry?” he held out the box.

Jorge was a patient man, however he was only patient when doughnuts were on the line. He was told to meet Devon here but he still wasn’t sure what the context was supposed to be. Was he going to pull up in a car? Was he going to walk here? Maybe Jorge was supposed to be waiting in line for him. Either way, what it boiled down to was the fact that he may be missing out on doughnuts. Behind him he could see that the line was already starting to grow since he last looked, as people from all walks were beginning to sneak into line in hopes of getting their tasty treats before it was too late. What, was there some kind of doughtnut apocalypse on the way?

He chewed on the inside of his cheek for a few nibbles as he contemplated just texting his friend to see where he was at. As he swiped and pulled up an blank message screen, he suddenly stopped at the vision of some white-clad demon emerging from the shop and heading in precisely his direction. At first Jorge didn’t pay any attention to them, figuring the shape to be little more than some other customer walking away triumphantly will his ill-gotten gains. But, as Jorge would attempt to avoid, his ears couldn’t when a rather eloquent voice danced along the breeze.

“Mmm mmmmmm hmmm mmm?”

…maybe “eloquent” wasn’t the right word. “Clogged” fit better.

A look of surprise pulled at his features as he turned to face his new companion. It only took a few moments, though, for his surprise to melt away into recognition. He knew this ghastly phantasm – it was Devon, the weather manipulator that he had been waiting over. Holding out a crisp and neat white bag with the doughnut’s shop logo on it, Jorge face split into elation as he chuckled and took the bag from him. He offered him a nod and a “Thanks” for the gift as he leaned back against his car.

>>”I’m sorry, waiting long?”

Jorge shook his head as the man explained that the line was getting long when he arrived and so he hopped in and procured a few of the tasty treats for the both of them. That was smart thinking. They must have just missed one another earlier. With another laugh on his lips after Devon shared his story about the overly eager counter person, he nodded his head.

”Famished. I skipped breakfast for this,” he said with a chuckle. Reaching over, he took the box and set it on the car hood so he could more easily check to see which he wanted – they all looked amazing. It wasn’t until he picked up a chocolate with rainbow sprinkles that he looked back at Devon and his powdered shirt and had to laugh. ”Sorry, just gotta say that you do a great Scarface impression there.”

Jorge was a little surprised, standing there all leaned back against his Chevy. He cut a hot figure there, dressed in his leather and eyes smiling to passersby before long his lips did. What a flirt. He knew what he was doing. Ah but Devon wasn’t here to play that game. He’d done his homework…

>> ”Famished. I skipped breakfast for this,”

“Good,” Devon chuckled back. “It’s worth it. I made sure to get a variety.” He studied the open box on Jorge’s hood and grinned. Food off the hood? Now it really felt like a bro-fast. It’d have felt like New York but how many people actually drove around the city? Not many. Jorge was clearly different, and that’s why Devon was here. This guy was impressive.

And off limits. Devon had found the wedding announcement. He hadn’t actually thought Jorge was interested anyway, but it was nice to confirm it was so. Maybe it was just the odd idea of the older, good-looking, in shape guy walking up just by chance with his dog… ‘Oh I’m sorry, she just likes flirting with guys and I happen to be walking her so I get to meet them too. Funny that, but oh wait I’m a mutant cop water god and I’m marrying a woman. Did you hear about how I stopped Christmas trees back in 2010, hunted down a girls’ abusive parents or stopped a mutant serial killer?’

Of course, Jorge would never say all that. This was one of those classic public servants. Devon could appreciate that, even if he was a bit too modest about the skill he had shown with his power. Hopefully with a little pressure Devon could get a little advice at least. Clearly the guy had a keen intellect. He was smart enough to choose the rainbow sprinkles.

Rainbow sprinkles. Geez. Come on.

>> ”Sorry, just gotta say that you do a great Scarface impression there.”

Devon grinned, making awkward pronounced sniffing sounds. “Thanks,” he chuckled as he shook his head. He dusted off his shirt and moved for another doughnut. Boston cream. “You like the chocolate rainbow ones?” he asked innocently. “Fruity but not too fruity but mmm fudge, right?”

In no way had Jorge Cervantes figured that he was playing at being any sort of tease. For the older man, a stroll on the beach as part of his therapy was just that. To hang out with a guy who got along with his dog and then thrown into a situation where they had to save innocent lives, it happened more often than Jorge was willing to admit. This city does odd things with all sorts of strangeness sweeping in through the streets and alleys. It was to the point where nothing surprised the man anymore; one day he’s saving a young mutant from a bunch of a supremacists, and the next day he’s joining the X-Men and doing battle with a massive building that somehow gained sentience. Whatever it was, in all his years, it just seemed like Jorge had seen worse.

Therefore, in his mind, it wasn’t an unlikely scenario. Why anyone else would think otherwise in no way occurred to him. To him, he got friendly with someone, they had chemistry as friends, and he was promised doughnuts. That was that.

Still, he did find it rather odd how often Devon smiled at him. And not the usual way that Jorge was used to, but it was strangely reminiscent of his younger days when he wore the blue uniform and ran across a few lovely ladies who wanted to slip him a phone number or want to thank him in person for his bravery there. And yet the older man was still not making the connection that there was anything overtly flirtation with the younger man. But that just happened to be Jorge – it would take a love note held discreetly over a sprawled out individual for him to understand what was happening.

That was the kind of thing that happened since he only had eyes for one woman.

When the doughnuts had arrived, Jorge chose his favorite one – chocolate with rainbow sprinkles. He didn’t know what it was about it, but it just happened to have a wholly different taste from other doughnuts, not matter what anybody said. And, while the rest of the doughnuts in the box were extremely fancy, it was the simplicity of this treat that would stand the real test for the detective. After all, if a doughnut shop couldn’t make a simple chocolate cake doughnut with sprinkles taste good, then the rest of it didn’t matter at all.

One bite and Jorge was already in heaven. The look on his face was that of a pure, orgasmic joy that rolled in with every bit. Now this wasn’t some cheesy shampoo commercial with a woman writhing in pleasure over simply washing her scalp; but for Jorge, the smirk on his lips as he chewed, the closed eyes, and the steady nod of his head, yeah, that was almost as telling. It was clear, without a doubt, that this place knew how to make doughnuts.

>> “Thanks…You like the chocolate rainbow ones? Fruity but not too fruity but mmm fudge, right?”

Turning back to his new friend, Jorge leaned against his car, smirking as he finished the mouthful that he was still chewing. Without realizing it he had taken another bite – this day was surely going to be dangerous…and fattening! Thankfully the man worked out enough to allow a little indulgence now and again.

He smirked, the humor in his eyes as he saw that Devon had knocked off most of the snowy powder from his shirt. At his comment, Jorge nodded (again, innocently enough). ”Yeah, I dunno what it is but the rainbow ones just taste better to me,” he said. ”Oh, and the crème filled. I just love a good crème filling.”

Innocent blink as he took another bite of his doughnut, sighing and enjoying the cool morning air while it lasted. It wouldn’t be long before the rising sun and the heat of the Spring day would descend upon them all. He addressed Devon again.

”You know how to pick a good doughnut shop. Where have you been all my life?” he chuckled. With a sigh and finishing his latest bite, he continued. ”How have you been since the incident?”

>> ”Yeah, I dunno what it is but the rainbow ones just taste better to me,” he said. ”Oh, and the crème filled. I just love a good crème filling.”

Devon grinned, “Yeah me too. Like I said, those Boston Cream…. Suck ‘em right through. There’s a lot in here though…” He turned back to the car hood and gazed down at the donuts. It really was hard to choose; these specialty doughtnut places really knew what they were doing. Those who saw them just had to have them.



It really was jealousy inspiring to see but not taste, wasn’t it?

He picked the oatmeal cream pie doughtnut next and grinned as Jorge took the moment in. The officer followed that up with another quotable quip and a little follow up.

>> ”How have you been since the incident?”

“I’ve been in the city and done my meet and greats, quick meetings, occasional gifts of plenty,” Devon chuckled. “A few doughtnuts can go a long way. Oh and working with fine officers like yourself,” he bowed his head, “You learn these things fast. Or else.

“But I’ve been good. Sanctuary’s busy and I’ve got a couple pet projects,” he nodded slowly. “A lot’s changed for me the last few months and I couldn’t be happier with the ways things are going. I’m opening my own treatment center for one. Construction’s nearly complete on Plum Island I got the keys to my office there this morning.” A slight blush went to his cheeks, “I bought it from the government.” There was a slight frown but he grinned again. “So today feels like a celebration for a lot of reasons.”

His eyes widened, “Oh and Jimmy, the terrakinetic. He’s doing great! He came to visit Rocky a couple days ago. I knew they’d like training together!”

After he had finished with his chocolate and sprinkles doughnut, Jorge found that he was already reaching for a second one. Of course this would be the last he had of his batch as there was apparently an odyssey the duo were going to go on in order to travel to these boutique-like places. Obviously it wouldn’t do them any good to stuff themselves at one place when there were so many more to visit. But one more couldn’t hurt, right? Carefully Jorge chose one that looked as if it were a regular yeast doughnut but was covered with a glaze that was lightly tinted in blue.

Jorge held the blueberry frosted doughnut in hand and turned back too Devon as the younger man began to explain how he was doing after the whole fiasco back on the beach. After that day, Jorge had allowed the young man to be taken in Devon’s care as he clearly knew a place that would take him in. The mansion was always an option but as Devon’s location was closer, Jorge allowed it. He knew of the Sanctuary and the rumors that circulated as to certain clientele that resided there. However those seemed to be unfounded as some of the more nefarious criminals who had been attached to the place had gone underground.

All-in-all the Sanctuary seemed perfectly legitimate now, with care being given to mutant and human alike. Jorge would have to one day make a visit over there, just to tour the facility to see for himself, but if someone as nice as Devon were actually managing it, then maybe it was really alright. Of course, this would be after having doughnuts. At the moment, the still on-leave detective was more than content just to share an afternoon with a friend and not really have to talk shop.

From the sounds of it his friend was doing quite well. Devon was clearly a busy man with a lot of responsibilities that Jorge could respect. He had often been asked if he would ever apply for positions like the chief of police or anything of that nature, but Jorge knew that wasn’t the job for him. He hated paperwork and would much rather be out on the streets. Devon, on the other hand, seemed to thrive in this environment of business meetings and humanitarianism. Again, it was another side to this younger man that Jorge could only be impressed by.

”That certainly sounds like you are keeping yourself busy. God bless you for doing it,” he said with a well-being smile. ”World definitely needs more people like you.”

It was at this point that Devon brought up the young mutant that the two of them had managed to help. Jimmy, that was his name. He was thriving and learning to control his mutation. Jorge had to guess that was what was happening as he hadn’t been feeling any stray or odd tremors around. He had friends in the precinct who kept him informed of certain matters, such as serial kidnappers and the stray mutant or two whose powers were still developing. Thankfully he hadn’t heard anything about Jimmy.

Jorge smirked and nodded his head once. ”I’m very glad to hear that. I know how…disorienting that can be the first time. You hear and feel everything at the same time and it’s enough to make you sick. I’m glad we were able to steer him back to a calm place.”

He didn’t want to think of the alternative, if they couldn’t help him. Mutants didn’t deserve that but, at the same time, they didn’t need another Ragman running around the streets, driven insane by his mutation and his inability to control it. He sighed. Sometimes his job was tougher than he was willing to admit.

He took another thoughtful bite of his doughnut, but scrambled when he felt the glaze coating his chin and beard. A muffled sound of displeasure, Jorge smirked as he grabbed a napkin and wiped the excess glaze from his lips and brushed it off the hair on his chin. ”Hah, messy aren’t they?” he smirked.

Blueberry frosted. Now that was an interesting choice. Devon enjoyed them as well. Blueberry made him think of Willy Wonka, or cops, or Thanksgiving. Boys in blue liked blueberry? Was an affiliation color thing? Devon liked blue but favored green as his eyes were blue. You often wanted what you couldn’t have, right?

>> ”World definitely needs more people like you.”

Devon grinned and laughed, “Thanks. There are many people who work harder than me that aren’t as social or outgoing. I’m just well marketed. I mean, look at you, you’re an example. Badge and modesty keeping you under the radar, eh?”

Well not completely considering what he’d found online.

Jorge was glad to hear about Jimmy and Devon agreed, nodding eagerly as he finished off his second doughnut. He silently agreed to Jorge unspoken idea: two was enough til the next location. Devon also knew exactly what Jorge was saying; it’s why they could both empathize with Jimmy easily. That environmental awareness could be shocking at time.

“Yeah I was happy to help, but quite happy you were there. I think you awed him into a state somewhere past his own pain and confusion,” Devon said casually. “Seriously, I think he was shocked out of shock,” he chuckled. The laughter grew as Jorge made a mess of his doughnut.

“Yeah, but I think it’s an accepted state for doughnut eaters,” he nodded and carried that movement into a gesture to the car. “Did you want to drive to the next location? Might be faster to walk and it’s a good day.”

Jorge was genuinely happy to hear that Jimmy was doing so well. After meeting that kid in the skate park and seeing what he could do, it was clear that he was going to need some help. Jorge didn’t know how to explain it but there was just something about mutants with developing mental powers and elemental powers that made them extremely sensitive to the world when their powers developed. More times than not, Jorge found himself responding to calls about a young mutant with psychic abilities who was causing a telekinetic maelstrom or a metal elemental pulling all the metal in the surrounding area to him. They were hard powers to possess, but he was glad to hear that Jimmy was doing well.

Biting into his blueberry frosted doughnut, Jorge sighed a bit in satisfaction. As he chewed, Devon clarified that Jorge was probably more help than he realized. His example was that Jimmy was probably shocked into calming down by the visage that Jorge made. In all honesty, the veteran cop could only smirk a little as he bit into his doughnut. He knew that when he shifted into a water elemental that it was quite the sight to behold but, as usual, Jorge was quick to diminish his own contribution to the event. To him it was a combined effort of the two of them that helped the child.

Jorge shrugged his shoulders as he nodded, making light of the event. ”Yeah, well, I guess it isn’t every day that you see a towering water golem. Unless, like, you play one of those weird games my nephew plays like World of Minecraft or some such.”

It wasn’t long after this that Jorge realized that he had made quite the mess of himself. He loved glaze doughnuts but they were almost as bad as powdered ones, with sheets of glaze crumbling down onto the lips and chin. Most of it was caught in Jorge’s beard but a quick stroke of the napkin was all he needed to wipe away the excess sugar and send it tumbling off to the ground. Devon agreed that such things were messy but admittedly it was understandable for those who partook in the treats.

Stopping at two doughnuts was a good call – they had a lot more places to go. So with their next destination in mind, Jorge nodded, agreeing that walking would probably be the best option for the two of them. Picking up the box, he opened his car door and set the box with the remainder inside the backseat and out of the sun, with the windows rolled down just enough to let air in and prevent any kind of theft (not that anyone could steal his car with the kill-switch system he had installed in it). Brushing his hands off, he turned back to his new friend. ”I’ll hold the leftovers here so we can divvy them up when we get back.” He gave him a cheery grin.

Unlike Devon, Jorge didn’t do a lot of research into his new friend. Slipping the keys to his car in his jacket pocket, Jorge waited for Devon to take the lead and started to walk next to him. He thought back to the few things he did manage to find about the man, his humanitarian work, aiding the homeless and the destitute, even reopening the Sanctuary doors. It was impressive, to say the least, and something that only continued to build his respect for the man. If he was anything more than what he seemed, then Jorge was none the wiser – for now.

His hands in his pockets, idling toying with his car keys, the man breathed in a deep breath, enjoying the warming air of the season. Jorge needed to enjoy this now as, when he eventually went back to work, he was not going to get as many carefree days as this. Though maybe that was a good thing as the man was essentially doing nothing for far too long. He needed to be in the thick of it, doing things, rather than just feeling like a lump on log. He knew he had to take care, to slowly ease back into his life, but if he wasn’t ready now, would he ever?

He nodded to Devon. ”Thanks for the suggestion of this doughnut tour,” Jorge admitted. ”Good to be out in the world again.”

All matters of sexuality aside, Jorge was many levels of cute. First there was the blueberry donut and Jorge messiness. Then there was the water golem form that even Katara would marvel at. But World of Minecraft? Oh boy.

Devon laughed, “Warcraft, but you’re right. Even though, those images on the screen are pretty small. So I hear anyway…” He’d never had that opportunity. He’d been too young and then too stupid, out partying when he should have been enjoying the last few years of-

Thankfully the cuteness distracted Devon again. “That beard is more bib than anything else,” he shook his head. But he nodded along with the plan of putting the box in the car. “Yeah, you holding onto them is just fine,” Devon smiled. It wasn’t like he expected to bring any home anyway. This was for Jorge and presumably he had buddies back at whatever station that could enjoy them.

Off they went, enjoying the near-to spring air. Hard to remember there’d been a blizzard recently. The weather was all sorts of messed up nowadays. Of course the insanity in office at the White House assured them that global warming wasn’t a thing. Tempest begged to differ. In fact, he could show them the brunt of it if he wanted to, if he made a small trip to D.C…

>> ”Thanks for the suggestion of this doughnut tour,” Jorge admitted. ”Good to be out in the world again.”

“Yeah,” Devon nodded slowly. “Honestly, I don’t get many days off like this. And I’m bound to be increasingly busy, but it’s good to take days for yourself. Although of course,” he scooted a few feet ahead, pivoted to walking backwards as he pointed to Jorge, “This one’s for you.” He laughed and spun back around.

“But you’ll have to forgive me, my psychology sense is tingling. Back out in the world?” he asked, blue eyes glancing aside to the cute cop walking with him.

It really did feel good to be out in the world again. The last year of his life had been spent stuck in the hospital, partially out of a need for physical therapy and partially out of an innate fear that the man would not explain to anyone out loud. Truth was that Jorge was scared; he was scared of his powers, that maybe when he came back, he came back somehow…wrong. They felt at times too powerful and too unpredictable. The worst, though, was that feeling that the man was going to descend into his water form and never be able to return. It was hell living on the ocean like that and he didn’t want to risk that again.

Still, the man was a police officer…he was an X-Man. He had a duty to uphold and a people to protect. So while Jorge may have spent the last year in rehab, he wasn’t going to let that define him for the rest of his life. He couldn’t.

Corrected as to the proper game that he was thinking of, Jorge smirk and nodded to the man as confirmation that that was correct. His nephew loved to play all sorts of games that he really didn’t know which was which anymore. But when Devon corrected him, he knew that was the right title for the game.

”Yeah, I’ve never been a fan with them either,” he admitted. ”The last time I tried to play a game with him his character ripped my character’s head off. I really should tell my sister to look more closely at those game ratings.”

As the detective mused on this thought, he turned and started to place the doughnuts back into his car. They would sit safely within until he could return to it. There were more doughnuts shops that they needed to visit and the last thing that the man needed was to be hauling around a giant box all over the city. Devon understood and agreed that it was the best decision to keep open and able to move about with utter freedom.

The weather felt good on his skin. The sensation of the warming breeze and the scent of flowers in the air. He knew that some people suffered allergies around this time of the year but Jorge himself was one of those lucky individuals who didn’t. Instead he just appreciated the season all the more and looked forward to the first of the rains to come. He was so pleased by this state that he had to voice his thanks to Devon for suggesting this outing. He truly was already enjoying himself. However, it would seem that his words would catch Devon’s attention.

As the two walked, Devon mused that this wasn’t a normal occurrence for him and figured that he would be getting more busy as time pressed on. But, as he turned to face him, Jorge had to smirk – then Devon picked up on the one thing that Jorge had let slip: what did he mean by being back in the world? Jorge sighed. It was clear from the look on his face that this wasn’t a pleasant subject for him but, considering that Devon already knew he was a mutant, there really wasn’t any reason to keep it to himself.

He would tell Devon, even though he was a psychologist – he had his fill of speaking to those when he was recuperating. He sighed, moistened his lips as he looked far and away, walking almost mindless as he began his tail.

”It’s…a little hard to explain,” he said, trying to sift through what to and what not to tell this younger man. ”The last year or so I’ve been interred in the hospital. Undergoing a kind of intensive physical therapy.” Another breath. ”The last four years before that…well…you know that water form your fond of?” he asked. ”I was stuck like that. In the middle of the ocean. But without the cool form…”

>> “…I really should tell my sister to look more closely at those game ratings.”

Devon laughed, “I’d read an article actually that it helps kids identify dangerous situations and increase their reaction time.” He grimaced slightly, “But in the case of those with certain disorders or diseases, it can be a problem. Individuals and society need to learn to recognize those and raise alarm for that person sooner.” He nodded slowly.

Violence in society was a threat to society.

It seemed Devon’s attention to how people communicated was also threatening. Jorge did not look overjoyed to share with Devon. He had to wonder if that was because of the topic or because of his career. Suddenly everyone looked at you differently once they knew you were a shrink. It was never about trying to help; it was about being violated or studied. Again, Devon understood; he’d been there before.

>> ”I was stuck like that. In the middle of the ocean. But without the cool form…”

Devon chose the role of friend for this conversation. His response followed in kind. “Wow,” his eyes went wide. “Then I’m glad you’re back. You seem to be doing very well then!” He smiled broadly and gave the cop a small elbow dig in the side, “And look at you using that water form to help a kid even with all that happened. That’s great of you; shows your heart’s in the right place.”

It was not what Devon had expected. Secret, undercover mission or private training and recovery but not lost in the ocean in a watery form…

It was easier to fall back into Devon’s love of talking mutation, enjoying the what if approach and the philosophy of them. “Can you affect the moisture in others? We’re mostly water, I’m sure you know,” he gave a small nod as he changed the subject. “And you’d be really helpful in a drought area, especially if I was around.”

Jorge was just a little unsure how much he wanted to tell Devon about what had happened to him. Part of it was that the topic did make him a little uncomfortable but another side was that he was just tired of having to explain it all the time. He got it, he was gone for four years and suddenly resurfaced, of course people were going to have questions. However, there were only so many times the man could explain that he was little more than drifting particles of water for four years. It wasn’t a memory he liked to relive, especially since he was a in a good mood. But, Devon had already seen him and his abilities, and apparently caught wind of certain phrases of his – what else was he going to do? He couldn’t avoid the topic forever. And after the other day, the detective felt like the man deserved the truth.

What Jorge told him was the truth, just not all of it. The case was still ongoing and the last thing he wanted as for Devon to get targeted by the drug lord who had attempted to kill him. So he left it at a very simple, he was in trouble out in the water and becoming water was the only way he could survive. From his experience, most found the story to be too terrifying to even imagine so they didn’t push him for more details…yet. What would be interesting would be to see Devon’s take on the admission; would be press for details or just stare at him in sympathy?

Thankfully it would be neither. While Devon did utter a mostly silent “Wow”, he quickly changed gears and admitted that he was glad that Jorge was back and that he was doing well. The smile on his face was infectious, causing the older detective to smirk as well. He even had to turn away as the man can to praise him for using his abilities to save Jimmy, despite what happened to him. Most would be too afraid to ever turn into water again but Jorge himself had always been a proponent of self-sacrificing for the greater good.

”Thanks,” Jorge said. It was only one word but it wasn’t bitter or snide, it was actually quite expression. It did feel good to hear those things and he let Devon know that.

This then opened the door to more conversation. Devon had turned back around to face him, and began to ask him a more minute question about his abilities -- could he affect others? It was an ability that Jorge possessed but one he didn’t always care to use. He didn’t like the idea of taking away other person’s freewill but the man knew that, on occasion, sometimes drastic decisions needed to be made. Luckily, not since Metatron, has Jorge been required to use it. But, if Devon wanted a demonstration…

He smirked as he walked up closed to Devon and stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. When the other had stopped, he held out his hand for him to take. ”Come on. I’ll give you one demonstration.”

He waited until Devon understood that he wanted him to take his hand. When he would, the detective would instantly feel the connection there, to the water that seeped into every bone, moistened the muscles, and coursed through the veins. They were only deluded particles but they were there. It was distracting, loud, but Jorge pushed through it as he began to enforce his will. Devon himself would feel every voluntary function of his body suddenly paused in a state of standby, a computer waiting for commands to be inputted. It would be a terrifying feeling to those not used to it, but to those that trusted the man, it would only be a momentary fear until they remembered they were in good and safe hands.

Jorge still held Devon’s hand as he spoke. ”Hop on one foot.” A command followed by an enforcement of his will seeped into Devon’s body. He would have no choice to comply. Once he did, Jorge would let go as he didn’t want to scare the man further. After a second, Jorge smirked to him. ”It’s just voluntary functions. Walking, moving, etc. Don’t worry, I can’t stop you breathing and take your breath away or anything like that.”

Jorge seemed pleased at the conversation topic switch. Good, Devon had a feeling he would. Devon had been there, poked and prodded for every detail from various doctors, friends, family… Sometimes you just need to acknowledge it and move on. Devon wanted to be that good friend and it seemed in thanks Jorge was willing to show him something.

A hand was offered there on the street and with a deep breath Devon took it.

Everything stopped and everything within held. His body was quiet and his mind began to explore. This was wrong, this was abnormal. He pushed all worry into one point of focus as he remembered whom he was with: Jorge. He’d allowed this willingly. He was at Jorge’s mercy.

It was still terrifying.

>> ”Hop on one foot.”

And he did.

Then Jorge let go and smirked, >> ”It’s just voluntary functions. Walking, moving, etc. Don’t worry, I can’t stop you breathing and take your breath away or anything like that.”

“Oh,” Devon said quickly, exasperated. “You definitely took my breath away!” he said excitedly more than he shouted. “That was exhilarating. Terrifying and exciting and intense,” he nodded. “Very helpful in the right circumstances.”

And still terrifying, but Devon smiled. His eyes were wide with wonder once again. “Your control is amazing; I’m fan boying. Can you fan boy for a friend? I assume so. I’m impressed. My body wants a little separation from you but I’m impressed,” he chuckled. “Can you feel anything about the body or just sort of the water and you push it, move it around? There must be healthcare related opportunities for that sort of exploration.”

Devon started walking again, presuming Jorge did, “Wow.”

It was kind of a freaky thing to have anyone do, to trust another person so much. Jorge didn’t give Devon a lot of details concerning this aspect to his abilities so it really was a leap of faith to ask someone you have only met once before. Jorge was going to display a power that he rarely utilized, mainly because he didn’t like taking will away from people. But Devon wanted a demonstration, to see what the man could do, so he was going to oblige him.

He offered his hand and Devon took it. The second that their hands touched, Jorge could feel his willpower seeping into every crevice where there dwelled water, no matter how diluted. It was an odd sensation for the man, almost like looking at a watery x-ray of something, feeling like there was suddenly an extension of himself now there. Jorge of course still needed more practice with it but he did have the basics down and he would go nice and slow with Devon. No need to make him pass out from suddenly splitting the connection or anything.

While he didn’t know what Devon was thinking, or really his expression, it was evident in his eyes that he was a little scared. Thankfully he trusted Jorge enough that he could see him somewhat relax. That would make things a bit easier for him. He issued only the most simplest of commands – hop on one foot. Dutifully Devon completed that task, hopping up and down on one foot until Jorge told him to stop. It was a powerful ability, one that scared Jorge from time-to-time but he thought the same thing when his abilities first manifested. It would take time and practice.

After his demonstration, Jorge released Devon’s hand and stepped back. The man suddenly regained all control of his body and he reacted to this by looked quite exasperated. Jorge had half-expected him to be fearful of him but the man proved to be resilient as he just grinned and started to gush to Jorge about his abilities. He called his experience “terrifying” and “exhilarating” and agreed that it could be helpful in certain circumstances.

Of course it didn’t escape Jorge’s attention that the man had taken a few cautionary steps away from him. That made the watermancer chuckle as he continued on their stroll to the next doughnut shop. As he walked, Devon just seemed to be in awe of his abilities and wanted to know a few more details. Jorge didn’t realize he was taking part in an interview but figured he would humor the man just the same. After all, it was the least he could do for hijacking his body for those few seconds like he had just done.

”It feels like an extension of me, but a blurry one, like when your foot falls asleep?” he explained. ”I can feel some minute details, such as I know where what parts of your body I’m moving. There are some minute details I can sense, but not a lot since the water is pretty diluted.” He turned to look at him. ”I can also see you without looking.”

As they started to walk onward towards an oncoming crowd of hustling New Yorkers, Jorge closed his eyes. He kept his head turned to show he wasn’t cheated and closed his eyes tight. As he walked into the crowd, Jorge moved pretty seamlessly. He moved around hurrying people, stopped and let others pass around him, and moved with all the focus of a man who had his eyes open. When they popped out the other side of the crowd, Jorge opened his eyes, smirking at Devon.

”It’s not as clear a picture as when I touch someone but I get a blurry, bulbous image of the water in people as they approach.” he sighed. ”It can be…distracting. But I’ve gotten used to it.” He then glanced to Devon. ”What about yourself? I think I’ve rattled on enough about my abilities.”